WE are into the swing of things with the PDC pro tour season, as Players Championship five takes place today. Here’s my thoughts.
Now, when I read the list of players who had dropped out, I was a bit disappointed. James Wade being the first player that caught my eye. He claimed the first PC title of the year, with a sweeping run through the field which was finished with an 8-6 victory over current world number 14 Nathan Aspinall.
Wade is an ever-present, he’s been on the tour for years and is not one to miss a chance for a title, and especially with his hot form at the minute, I am surprised he’s not fighting for the chance at his second title of the year.
Moving on, Dutchman Wessel Nijman turns into prime Phil Taylor as soon as he gets on the floor. With one PC title to his name already this year, and many other deep runs, he sits 2nd in the order of merit for the ProTour. He will miss event five and six (six taking place tomorrow).
The European Tour train stopped off in Poland this weekend, with Luke Littler taking the title after getting the better of Gian Van Veen in the final, despite his nine darter heroics in the final. These two, as well as three other premier league stars miss out. Those being Stephen Bunting, Michael Van Gerwen and Luke Humphries.
Right, now onto who to look out for.
Starting with Gary Anderson, who has won over 30 of these titles. Josh Rock, who hasn’t had the ideal start to the premier league and will be looking to right his wrongs, and Rob Cross, who after a retched 2025 is slowly starting to pick up form again.
Gerwyn Price had numerous deep runs in the first few events of the year, and is consistently a danger. The Welshman picked up a Premier League nightly win in Antwerp 12 days ago
Days like this are where new tour card holders can really make a name for themselves. Beau Greaves had a staggering 117.88 average in a development tour match this weekend. The WDF world champion Jimmy Van Sche is yet to make a real poke into the Pro Game as of yet, but it’s a matter of if not when for the 6ft 9 dutchman.
Finally, Tyler Thorpe had a mixed bag weekend on the Development Tour, with the highlight being a run to the semi-finals where he peaked at an average of 107. I expect TnT to put in a stellar run sooner rather than later, and today could be his day!
